Hopper or chute door assembly



Nov. 17, 1964 G- J. HAUGHT HoPPER JbR CHUTE DOOR ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 15, 1963 INVENTOR. GLENN J. HAUGHT OW? @M M ATTYS.

Nov.-17, 1964 G. J. HAUGHT 3,156,954

HOPPER OR CHUTE DOOR ASSEMBLY Filed April 15, 19s: 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GLENN J. HAUGHT ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,156,954 HQPPER 0R QHUTE DQGR ASSEMELY Glenn .l. Haught, Cuyahoga Falls, ()hio, assignor to Wilkinson @hutes, inc, Akron, @hio, a corporation of @hio Filed Apr. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 272,9tl3 .2 ""lairns. (Cl. Ell-16) The present invention relates to chute or hopper doors, and especially to the means used for positioning such doors operatively in a building structure.

Heretofore there have been various types of chute, or hopper door assembly constructions proposed, and one of such door assemblies is shown in United States Letters Patent No. 2,922,203. These chute and hopper doors are used in many buildings, such as hospitals, apartment houses, dormitories, and the like, Where a vertically extending laundry chute, for example, is provided and openings are made at each floor to connect to the main chute. Naturally the opening to the laundry or rubbish chute at each floor must have doors, or covers provided therefor, which doors normally are pivotally positioned in the building wall and must be easily opened, as well as being of a durable, attractive design. The door units usually are preassernbled so that they can be installed with a minimum of effort.

While previous door constructions have been very satisfactory in service, one of such prior units has involved a construction which, when the outer trim strip is removed, presents a relatively unattractive frame means that has lower sections cut from the vertically extending side angles of the frame for receiving special channel members and door support bearings therein. as shown in more detail in the above noted prior patent. These door units have included certain frame means attachable to the building for outlining the opening therein, and removable trim strips have been supplied for being attached over the frame means to provide the attractive finish required. Usually some type of door closure means also are present in the door units, and preferably such door closure means are contained in the frame at one lateral portion thereof and covered by the trim strips used on the door mechanism at the lateral margins thereof.

Even though these doors and their support means have been made carefully, in some instances, the doors may not be accurately centered in the frame means and thus would not be properly positioned in the openings provided in the building. Furthermore, in using the prior art constructions, in some instances it is necessary that the bearing means used in the doors be replaced or that some other repair or adjustment action is required in the door. Some of such repair or centering operations in prior structures have been rather difficult, costly operations.

t is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved assembly of a laundry or chute door and support means therefor wherein a tubular member is fixedly secured to the door and removable bearing means attach such door to a fixedly position support rod carried by the frame means for the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively conventional frame means for a laundry chute door or the like and to position such door in the frame means for convenient adjustment of the position of the door in the frame to facilitate centering the door in the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved pivot shaft sub-assembly for attachment to a door to position such door operatively and centrally in a door frame and to utilize conventional, low cost, sturdy elements in such pivot shaft sub-assembly.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an elevation. of a door for a laundry chute, or a similar door assembly;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizonal section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation, with parts broken away and shown in vertical section of the pivot shaft subassembly of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the sub-assembly of FIG. 7.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a chute or hopper door assembly that comprises in combination, an open centered frame means including a side member, a door for covering the center of the frame means, support rod means for the door protruding lateral- 1y from both sides thereof, means journalling the door on the support rod means, the side member positioning one end of the support rod means and door thereon, and other support means secured to the frame and adjustably engaging the other end or portion of the support rod means to position the door in the frame means for opening and closing action.

Attention now is particularly directed to the details of the structure shown in the accompanying drawings, and a chute or hopper door assembly is indicated as a whole by the numeral 1. This hopper door assembly 1 includes a door 2 that is operatively positioned in an open centered frame means indicated as a whole by the numeral 3. The frame means 3 is made from conventional members, such as a pair of side angles 4 and 5, a top angle 6 and a bottom angle 7. The frame means 3 also includes a channel or box unit 8 which is substantially U-shaped in horizontal section and is positioned at one lateral margin of an opening in the building wall or structure 10. The channel 8 has the one side angle 5 of the frame removably secured thereto and forming a front cover therefor, while the other angles 4, 6 and 7 of the frame means normally directly engage, or are secured to marginal portions of the opening 9 in the building 15). The channel or box unit 8 may be made from several parts, and the side angle 5 terminates short of the bottom thereof. Suitable sheet metal members, or plates 11 and 12 form the sides of an opening to a laundry chute or the like while top and bottom plates 13 and 14 complete the enclosure leading to the associated chute. The door 2 usually has suitable side flanges 15 and 16 secured to lateral portions thereof and engaging corresponding stops l7 and 18 secured to portions of the frame means 3 to limit the inwardly swinging movement, or closed position of the door in the opening 9.

While the door 2 may be of any suitable construction, usually fireproof, it is a feature of the invention that the door 2 has a tubular member 19 fixedly secured thereto and protruding therefrom for at least one marginal portion thereof in the section indicated at the numeral 2% in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

It is a further feature of the hopper door assembly 1 of the invention that suitable rod or support means, in this instance a support rod 21, is received within the tubular member 19 and extends therethrough to protrude laterally therefrom at each marginal portion of the door 2. Substantially conventional, relatively inexpensive bushings or bearings 22 are shown positioned in the tubular member 19 at the ends thereof and which engage the support rod 21 to journal the door 2 on the support rod 21 for opening and closing movement. In this embodiment of the invention, a pivot shaft sub-assembly is provided for the door, and is secured in the door 2 after prior assembly. FIG. 7 shows a sub-assembly of the tubular member 19 and support rod 21. The sub-assembly includes a support plate 23 that is secured to the end of the support rod 21 that will be associated with the channel 3 of the frame means 3 when the door is operatively positioned. Also, a control arm or plate 24 is also preferably welded to the tubular member 19 at the protruding section thereof. As best shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, when this pivot shaft sub-assembly is operatively positioned, the support plate 23 will extend substantiallytangentially from the support rod 21 and will be vertically positioned while the control arm 24 extends rearwardly or depth-Wise of the hopper door assembly. The control arm 24 is inclined slightly downwardly from the tubular member 19 so as to obtain the desired pivotal action of the door in the assembly, as hereinafter explained.

The sub-assembly prepared from the tubular member 123 and associated members will be operatively associated with the door, as by being telescoped through a suitable hole therein after Which the tubular member 19 is fixedly secured, as by being Welded, to adjacent portions of the door. Next the door 2 is operatively positioned in the open centered frame means 3. Preferably the one side of the door 2, having one end of the support rod 21 extending therefrom, is fixedly positioned in the frame means by having the support rod 21 engage a suitable means provided on the side angle 4. Thus a hole 25 is formed in. such side angle to snugly receive the end of the support rod and position it is a fixed manner in the hopper door assembly. On the other side of the door assembly, a suitable opening or slot is provided in the channel 8 at the lower end of its laterally inner wall and the side angle 5 terminates at such opening whereby the protruding section 20 of the tubular member 19 extends into the channel 8 and positions the control arm 24 as Well as the support plate 23 Within this channel. One side portion of the door 2 hence is positioned in a vertically adjustable manner within the channel 8 by the support plate 23 engaging a suitable support member 26 that, for example, can be welded or otherwise suitably fixedly secured to one wall portion of the channel 8 or other fixed part of the frame means 3, as desired. To obtain some vertical adjustment in the position of the side of the door 2, normally an oversize aperture 27 is provided in the support plate 23 and it loosely receives a member, such as a cap screw 28, that is secured to the support member 26 but with some vertical adjustment movement of the support plate 23 and hence of the support rod 21 and door assembly being permitted with relation to the support member 26. Hence, should the door 2 not be centered properly in the opening 9, it can be tilted slightly in position to match the opening, or be moved slightly vertically to align with the opening.

The actual door closing and opening action in the hopper door assembly 1 is controlled by conventional means, such as an air cylinder 29, that is fixedly secured to the frame means 3. The door 2 has its control arm 24 connected by a link 30 to a slide bar 31 that bears against the frame means 3. The slide bar 31 has a piston rod 32 of the air cylinder 29 connected thereto whereby the door 2 can be conveniently opened manually, and the air cylinder 29 will provide for automatic closing action thereof.

In order to provide an attractive finish for the hopper door assembly 1, suitable trim strips 33 are secured over the marginal portions of the frame means 3 and are secured in position by screws 34 to permit removal of these trim members at any desired times for access to the frame means and positioning members for the door. The door assembly of the invention is made from fewer parts than previous constructions, and the relatively inexpensive, but sturdy means used for journalling the door in the assembly provide a long service life. By the adjustment means present in the door assembly, the door can be laterally centered in the door opening. The tubular member 19 used in the door may be an ordinary pipe which provides excellent strength at low cost. In prior assemblies like that of the invention, it has been possible to jar or dislocate the bearing means used for door support so that the door would become out of alignment with the opening in the building. Ready adjustment of the doors position is provided by the structure of the invention, and the door normally will retain a given position for a long service life. Hence, it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a chute or hopper door assembly, or the like, including a frame means having an open center attachable to a structure at the margins of an opening therein to outline such opening, said frame having a pair of opposed side angles one of which has an aperture therein, a door being positioned in said opening, the improvement comprising a tubular member secured to said door to aid in operably positioning it is said frame,

a support rod for said door extending through and protruding from both ends of said tubular member,

bearing means journalling said tubular member on said support rod,

a control arm fixedly secured to said tubular member adjacent one end thereof to extend therefrom to engage door control means,

one end of said support rod being positioned in said aperture,

an apertured support plate fixedly secured to said support rod at the other end thereof,

a support member secured to said frame adjacent said support plate and having an aperture therein with which the aperture in said support plate is aligned, and

means extending through said aligned apertures to secure said door in position but being operably connected to said support plate and said support memher to permit adjustment therebetween to vary said door in position in said frame.

2. In a chute or hopper door assembly, or the like, including a frame means having an open center attachable to a'structure at the margins of an opening therein to outline such opening, said frame having a pair of opposed side members, a door being positioned in said opening, the improvement comprising a tubular member secured to said door to aid in operably positioning it in said frame,

a support rod for said door extending through and protruding from both ends of said tubular member,

bearing means journalling said support rod in said tubular member,

one end of said support rod being removably supported at a -fixed position on one of said side members,

an apertured support plate fixedly secured to said support rod at the other end thereof,

5 6 a vertically extending support member secured to said adjustment of the relative position of said support frame adjacent said support plate and having an plate on said support member. aperture therein with which the aperture in said support plate is aligned, said apertures being of References Cited y the Examine! different size to permit adjustment of position of 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS said support plate and one end of said support rod 2 808 625 10/57 W1lk1nson 20-46 1 (1 th 1 t t d f s, 2151i sai door W1 re a 1011 0 S211 rame mean 2,971,227 2/61 Eliot 2O 16 means extending through said aligned apertures to 6/63 Wheel et 20-16 secure said door in a given position but to provide 10 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A CHUTE OR HOPPER DOOR ASSEMBLY, OR THE LIKE, INCLUDING A FRAME MEANS HAVING AN OPEN CENTER ATTACHABLE TO A STRUCTURE AT THE MARGINS OF AN OPENING THEREIN TO OUTLINE SUCH OPENING, SAID FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDE ANGLES ONE OF WHICH HAS AN APERTURE THEREIN, A DOOR BEING POSITIONED IN SAID OPENING, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A TUBULAR MEMBER SECURED TO SAID DOOR TO AID IN OPERABLY POSITIONING IT IS SAID FRAME, A SUPPORT ROD FOR SAID DOOR EXTENDING THROUGH AND PROTRUDING FROM BOTH ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, BEARING MEANS JOURNALLING SAID TUBULAR MEMBER ON SAID SUPPORT ROD, A CONTROL ARM FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO EXTEND THEREFROM TO ENGAGE DOOR CONTROL MEANS, ONE END OF SAID SUPPORT ROD BEING POSITIONED IN SAID APERTURE, AN APERTURED SUPPORT PLATE FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT ROD AT THE OTHER END THEREOF, A SUPPORT MEMBER SECURED TO SAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID SUPPORT PLATE AND HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN WITH WHICH THE APERTURE IN SAID SUPPORT PLATE IS ALIGNED, AND MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID ALIGNED APERTURES TO SECURED SAID DOOR IN POSITION BUT BEING OPERABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT PLATE AND SAID SUPPORT MEMBER TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT THEREBETWEEN TO VARY SAID DOOR IN POSITION IN SAID FRAME. 